The Brooklyn Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958 after the organization failed to reach an agreement with politicians for a new ballpark. Sandy Koufax took the mound for the first time as a Dodgers pitcher in Los Angeles after the move. Although Dodgers Stadium was not yet built at that time, the team played at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum for four seasons, beginning with their first game against the San Francisco Giants on April 18, 1958.
The Early Career of Sandy Koufax
In the 1958 season, Koufax was transitioning from a relief pitcher to a starter. The young 22-year-old pitcher appeared in 40 games, 26 of which he started, and maintained an 11-11 record with a 4.48 ERA. Koufax showed some of the incredible abilities that would define his amazing career in this season.
The Auction of Sandy Koufax’s Game-Worn Baseball Mitt
Sandy Koufax’s actual Rawlings mitt, which he wore for some, if not all, of his appearances during that season, is now on the auction block at The Memorabilia Network. The mitt is signed by the 7-time All-Star and 4-time World Series champion and has been preserved over the years. Sandy’s jersey number, “32,” is also inscribed on the mitt in black marker. Koufax gloves are very rare, and only a handful of Koufax game-used gloves have ever been sold, with seven total gloves sold to date. Memorabilia Network believes that this mitt, the first of Koufax’s game-worn gloves in the City of Angels, could be the most valuable.
The Auction Details
The auction for Sandy Koufax’s game-worn baseball mitt will close on June 14th. The mitt is expected to fetch a high price and is a must-have for any baseball memorabilia collector who values the historical significance of Koufax’s early career.
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